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Three Femen activists released from Tunisian jail

by Samantha Ritchie Three women from feminist group Femen have been released early from Tunisian jail. Three Femen activists were released from jail early after making an apology. Hours after, the group boarded a plane to France. When they got off they …

Three women from feminist group Femen have been released early from Tunisian jail.

Three Femen activists were released from jail early after making an apology. Hours after, the group boarded a plane to France. When they got off they clenched their fists and raised them in the air, only to state that they retract their apology to the Tunisian Government. The three activists also said that the conditions they were subjected to in prison were filthy and humiliating.

During their trial, the three women maintained that there was nothing sexual or offensive about their protest. The activists also maintained that they were demonstrating for the release of Amina Sboui, who was imprisoned after posting topless pictures of herself online to stand up for women’s rights.

Femen is a Ukrainian feminist protest group founded in 2008. On their website Femen state that “FEMEN – is a new ideology of the women’s sexual protest presented by extreme topless campaigns of direct action. FEMEN – is sextremism serving to protect women’s rights, democracy watchdogs attacking patriarchy, in all its forms: the dictatorship, the church and the sex industry.”

However, Femen is seen as an extremely controversial activist group especially within Muslim countries. In Tunisia, where 98% of the population are Muslim this is sort of behavior is deemed intolerable and contentious. In 2011, Tunisia was one of the first countries to overthrow their dictator. However, in years following the up rise the Tunisian society has become more conservative.

As controversial as it is, Femen brings women’s rights to a new level. They attract media attention and they get their issues heard on a global scale.

Women are half the world’s population. Working two thirds of the worlds working hours. Receiving 10% of the world’s income and owning less than 1% of the world property. Inequality still exists and Femen activists campaign to end this.